Semaphore-signal.



3 JANQI, 1908.

PATENT R HERMAN. sEM PHORE SIGNAL. APPLIOATiON EILED NOV. 27.1903.

ntsrran sacs-as l en. canon.

REINHOLD HERMAN, OF GRAFTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFNEW. YORK.

SEMAPHORE-SIGNAL.

for railways, and has for its 0 ject to -pro vide a sema hore signal of compact struc- .ture adapte' by night. 7

It has been proposed heretofore to arrange semaphore si nals to give two lights at night for some Or all of the positions of the si nal, in order to increase the certainty with w ich the engineer can )ick out the signal light. Wherea sin le llgl lt is employed on the signal a chance ight beside the track may sometimes mislead the engineer, who may mistake it for a si nal light; but if two lights are employed or. iving the signal indicato give distinctive indications tionat night the chance for such confusion is lessene v My invention consists in providing a novel construction and arrangement of the semaphore casting whereby two lights may be obtained at night in the different positions of the'signal w th acompact structure. To this end my lnven'tion comprises a number of features.

In. one aspect my invention consists in mounting the semaphore arm tangentially.

on the semaphore casting and providing two series of colored lenses each arranged to register with a lamp in different-positions of the signal. The tangential su port of the semaphore arm makes it possib e to use a vertical position of the. arm for clear position, and consequently to obtain a wide range of movement of thearm without offsetting the axis Specification of Letters Patent. pplication filed November 27. 1903. Serial No. 182362,

Patented Jan 21, 1908.

orfour-position signals is a distinct disadvantage,,as the difl'erent positions would be less clearly defined. On the other hand, if the axis of the semaphore were Offset from the post, it would frequently be inconvenient to support two lamps on opposite sides of the axis, and in order to separate the lamps suiiiciently, so that they may appear as distinct lights from a distance it is practically essential to place the lamps on opposite sides of the axis of the semai) lore casting if a compact structure is desire In another aspect, myinvention consists in arranging the series of lenses on the semaphore-arm sideof the casting on a comparatively small arc and arranging the lenses on the o posite side on a somewhat larger arc in order to obtain the desired distance between lamps.

The signal forming the subject of the present invention is adapted to be employed either as an ordinary two or more position signal, or as a signal for giving a distinctive indication or )osition.

. In electrical signaling, it is sometimes desirable to use the automatic block signals as a time or spacing signal and it is necessary therefore to distinguish this type of signal from any other. In order to distinguish this signal in the day time from any other signal, I have devised a construction which will be given hereinafter more detail, but which in brief .is distinguished as follows: In the 'clear position of the signal, the blade or semaphore arm hangs perpendicularly; in green or caution posit1on,.the blade or semaphore arm shows a forty-five degree position; while, the red or danger position shows a one hundred thirty-five degree (135) position, or any desired degree position between the 90 osition and a 180 position, instead of as ordinarily only a 90 position for the red or dangerindication. The position of the signal or semaphore arm therefore distinguishes the type of signal by day, and

the flight signal is distinguished by the employment of the two lamps and lenses.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown and will describe in detail a practical embodiment of my present invention, without limiting myself to the precise construction shown and described.

In the drawings, Figure 1, is a sideelevofi 25 instruments.

-tion ofa signal constructed in. accordance with my invention,where the signal is to be used for clear, caution and 90 idanger position. F g. 2, 1s a like View, showing the'application of the signal to'a distinguishing dan- Figs, 3 and 4 are detailvi'ews,

ger position. showing the stop-lugs for danger and distinctive-danger and clear positions respectively.

In carrying out my invention, a signal i0 operating mechanism such as shown and de scribed. in my former patent No. 778,037, dated December 20,1904, may be employed for actuating the signal, an'dI have not shown and described the actuating mechanism in detail, as it is fully described and shown in the patent referred to.

In the presentinvention, I provide a sup- -porting post 1, which" at. its lower end is mounted 1n a socket 2,- carrled on the top of a box or case 3, the latter mounted on a suitable base i. The box or case 3 is provided for the reception of the track relay or'ot-her track instruments, obviating the nece sity of providing a separate'box'or case -for these This boxfor case is provided in one side with a door 5, adapted to be suitably locl-:ed.- On the upper end of the supporting post .1 isrotatably mounted a socket 6, carried by the housing or casing 7, in which the signal operating llltfillfilllfilil'ih located,

The upper end ol the ladder 8, isconnected to the socket 6, whereby as'the housing or casing and signal mechanism is rotated on top of the supporting post'to properly position the signal, the ladder will be carried therewith, in order that it may always be in roper position. Secured in substantially iorizontal alinement, on liltltlOl-S 9, bolted or otherwise secured to opposite sides of the 40 housing or casing 7, a pair of lamps 10, 11',

and mounted (.lirect. on the drive shaft 12, oi thesignal operating inechanisln, is a semaphore casting 14, which will now be described in detail. This casting carries the semae5 phore arm 30 extending tangentially iron? the casting and 1s rovided with an u )ei' and a lower set ol lenses, the upper three dens- -opemngs 15, Hi and 17 respectively adapted to be broughtnto registry in the ditl'erent positions ol'the signal, with the lens in lamp it), and the lower lens openings Its, 19, 2O nndQl respectivply adapted for registry with-lamp ll. 'lho, openings 17, 21 are those employed for giving the:distinclive night signal, and in tln-seopenings may be employed red lenses, indicating 'dangeii. or

' any other color of lcns that may l ie hgsired For the designating oi theihslmctive; night:

signal. Noleiis need be provided iiyth-e opening IS, as this opening registers with lamp ll when the sig'na'lis in river -position, and when in this position, the lens oi lamp 1,!) 1s uncovered by the ca 8,76,1roa

15, contains a green colored lens for indicate ing caution position, as'doeslens-in opening 19, these lenses being in registry with the respective lamps at the same time. Open ings 16 and 20, contain red colored lenses for indicating dangefl position (90? danger position), the said lenses being; in registry,

with the lamps at the same time.

As heretofore stated, this signal may be employed for indicating the 90? dangeit position, or a distinctive danger position;

In order to aceom' lish this result, 1- provide. "four stop lugs on t e semaphore eastin ,1 and four stop-lugs on the box orhousing inc osing the signal operating mechanism, and when it is desired to use the signal for more than a 90 danger position, two of the lugs pro-; vided-on tlie'housing or casing of the signal operating mechanism are removed. The

lugs on the semaphore casting are indicated by reference numerals 22, 23, 24, and 25 respectively, and those-on the housing or cas ing being indicated by reference numerals, Vi henusrng the signal as 26, 27, 28 and 2?). adistinetive danger position lugs 27, 29 are removed from the housing, and as the semaphore arni'SO is moved from clear position to 135 or other distinctive danger" position, lug 23 engages with lug 28 an lug 25 engages lug 26. If,-however, the sig nal is being employed for the giving of anorin at or 90 danger position, lug 23 on the casting would engage with log 27 on the housin and 1-11 25 on the eastin enga es oi 2s r. a r with lug 29 on the box or housing. Lugs22,

26 form a stop for the signal when it moves to clear position, when it is being used either for the normal danger position of HO", or for the giving of a distinctive dam ger position of 135, or any degree position,

between and 180. 1 l-Iaving fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. Inv a railway signal, a support, a semaphore casting provided thereon, a semaphore arm extending tangentially from said caste, ing, and a plurahtyol' lan-ips carried by said ting, The opening ing, two lamps carried by said support on opconcentric to the axis of t openings also concentric to said axis and disposed in an arc of greater radius than that of is in the distinctive danger indicating positionf' blade carried by the casting, the openings in .on one side and two series of openings in its posits sides of the axis of said casting, one L.

said-lamps being nearer saidaxis than the other, and'two series of colored lenses carried by said castingv each arran ed. to register with one of said lamps in di erent positions of the signal. a i

4. In a railway signal, a support, a semaphore casting pivoted thereon, a semaphore arm extending tangentially from said cast, ing, two series of lenses carried by said casting arranged on two arcs'on opposite sides of the axis, the series on the semaphore-arm side of said casting being on an arc of smaller radius than the other series, and two lamps carried by the support arranged to-register with the two series of lenses in the different positions of the signal.

5. In a railway signal, a pivoted semaphore casting having two series of openings arranged on arcs of different radii concentric with the axis of the casting, two lamps mounted to coact with said openings, and a the casting being so disposed as to show two lights in each position of the signal.

6. In a signal, asemaphore casting having a series of openings disposed in an arc e casting, and a second series of openings also concentric to the axis of the casting and disposed in an arc of greater radius than that of the first named openings.

7. In a signal, a semaphore casting adapted to turn on an axis and having a series of openings disposed in an arc concentric to the axis of the casting and a second series of the first named openings, and at a greater distance apart than said first named openings.

8. In a signal, a semaphore casting arranged on an axis and formed with a gap body, one opening of one series being diametrically opposite said gap.

9. In asignal, a semaphore casting adapted to revolve on an axis, a semaphore blade attached to said casting and two series of o enings formed in the casting, each opening of each series being diametricallyopposite an opening of the other series, forming pairs of openings, the two series of openings being concentric with the axis of the casting with one series on an arc of greater radius than the other series, two'lamp's adapted to register with each such pair of openings, the semaphore casting movable to bring the semaphore blade into a distinctive danger indicating osition, and said blade being-so disposed with relation to the openings in the casting that one pair of saidopenings will register with the lamps when said blade drive-shaft, of a semaphore casting mounted direct on said shaft and provided with a plurality of openings, arranged in two series concentric with the axis of the casting with one series in an arc of greater radius than the other series, and two lamps=coacting with the openings whereby two night signals are given in each position of the casting.

11. In signals, an inclosing box or casing for signal operating mechanism, a drive shaft of the signal operating mechanism extending through one wall of the box or casing, a semaphore casting mounted on said drive shaft and provided with a lurality of openings, and two lamps suspenclbd from the box or casing and coacting with the openings in the casting whereby two night signals are given in each position of'the castin 12. In signals, a semaphore arm, a cast ing to which said arm is attached, an. axis.

on which the casting is pivoted, means for revolving the casting, a series of openings extending over an arc concentric to the axis and in excess of a quarter circle, stops arranged and adapted to limit the movement of the casting to predetermined oints, and asecond series of openings eacii of which is diametrically op osite one of the openings of the first named series.

13. In signals, a semaphore casting provided with a plurality of openings disposed in two sets in arcs concentric to the axis on which the casting turns, one of said setsof o enings being on an arc of greater radius tian the other set of openings, and two lamps coaeting with the two sets of 0 enings, the casting being movable to pace thesemaphore arm in a distinctive danger position and bring two of the openings in registry with the lamps.

:14. In sign als, a semaphore-casting heavierin ori-eqmrt than in another having a pivotal point and openings arranged in two series concentrically with reference to the pivotal point, with one series of the openings'on an arc of greater radius than the other series.

15. The combination in a semaphore signal, of a casting having a pivotal point and seven 0 enings arranged in two series concentrically with reference to the pivotal point and relatively unequally disposed in their arrangement and a blade fastened-to said casting and extending outwardly therefronn 1 16. The combination in a semaphore signal, of a casting heavier in one part than another, having a pivotal point and seven openings arranged in two series concentrically with reference to the pivotal point and relatively unequally disposed in their arrangement, and a blade fastened to said 10. In signals, the combination with the.

casting at its lighter weighted part end extending outwardly therefrom.

the lighter Weighted part of the casting, sub- 17. The combination in a; semaphore signal of a casting heavier in hone part than stantiallyas described. another having a pi etal point and four I In testimony whereofl afiizp openings concentrically arranged with 'r'efin presence of two witnessesf erence to the pivotal bind; and relatively REIN HOLD HERMAN. equally disposed in t eir concentric, er Witnesses: rangement and three openings u COHCGIP H. M. WVILsoN; '10 trically arranged with reference to the piv- .E. E. POTTER.

ota 1 point on an arc of 'greater' radius' then thefouropenings, and. a blede fastened to,

mysigpature 15 

